Hello, hello.

In my last update I lamented over some much-needed changes around here. Today, I've published a few of those changes.

What you see on this website now is my current digital illustration work only. It feels really great to say that!
No old paintings, no in-progress work. Just current illustrations–ahhh.

I worked hard in my previous life as a painter. When I switched to digital illustration, most of that old work just wasn't representing my new style. So we're moving on!

Pet portrait commissions:
I've made some updates to my commissions page, but commissions are still closed for a bit while I create an inquiry form.

A form will make the commission process much more efficient for all of us going forward. 

Please reach out if you have any questions. I'm always open to collaborations and projects that are a good fit.

Shop:
This is next on the agenda.
Until I have the shop up, you can reach me directly. I can make prints of most illustrations seen in my portfolio.

I also sell a few mass-produced items on Redbubble.

Until the next update:
Enjoy the sun! Unless it's not sunny where you are. Then just sit back and know it's coming.

Thanks for stopping by.
Things are changing around here--and it feels like a circus.

Kind of exciting, kind of frightening. 

If you've followed my art over the last eight years or so, you may have noticed a change. I fell in love with digital illustration a couple of years ago, and I don't use paint at all now. 

Today my website doesn't reflect that like it should.
In fact, it doesn't reflect anything like it should, right?

It's time to let go of the old so my new work can shine. I know this website isn't easy to navigate.

And where's my shop? Yeah, exactly.
​Am I taking commissions? Who knows!

What's currently a mix of older paintings, pet portraits, and newer digital artwork, will slowly begin to reflect only current artwork and print offerings. 

In the meantime, I'm most active on Instagram and Facebook, but I'd love to hear from you via any channel.

Also, where did January go?

You know I love all dogs like crazy, but I have a real soft spot for the pitties. 

I'm not doing custom pet portraits again yet, but I added a new design to my Redbubble shop in honor of these great dogs. This guy is just a random pitbull of the people. For an extra fee, I'm happy to customize the background if you'd like. Just reach out and we'll chat.
​
Click here to see more at Redbubble.

We lost our 13-year-old mix (Muddy Waters) this year, and we rescued a new one (Stevie Ray) from a county kill shelter in Texas.

Three Little Pitties All Breed Rescue saved Stevie from the shelter and we took him from there! They are a wonderful group of people and we are grateful for them.

Stevie Ray replaced more than a huge hole in our hearts. He's the sweetest dog and exactly what we needed. He saved us as much as we saved him. Muddy did that a decade ago, too...imagine that. Dogs are the best. 
​
Our two best boys, ​Muddy Waters (RIP) and Stevie Ray:

Please have a safe Thanksgiving holiday. I'll be thinking about you!

If you know me well, you know I live for the rain--so I'm happy to report the rain has returned to Portland, Oregon. This is why I live here, and I welcome the morale boost of fall. Particularly this fall. We could all use a boost, right? 

Another thing you probably know about me is that my art consists of weird dogs, funky robots and assorted fun subjects. Florals, not so much. 

In September, I did a 7-Day Florals Challenge with @makeitindesign over on Instagram. I'm not great at the 30-day challenges. I start with the best of intentions and then use the motivation to do my own thing.

Since these design challenges are just for fun, I allow myself the grace to simply learn something whether I complete them or not. Deadlines are my thing in real life--so I try not to impose more of them on myself for fun. This time I completed 6 of 7 days, and I consider that a win! ::thumbs up::

I got lost in the details of the chrysanthemums. I didn't even post them initially. I thought there was too much left to do, so I tabled it. When I revisited my design with fresh eyes a week later, I really loved it! There are still some gaps in color and a few clean-ups...but as a whole, I was really drawn to the style and colors I used.

I miss pizza parties and holidays!

It wasn't a pizza project at all. It was trees! Festive trees.
I love the holidays. And since I also enjoy pizza, the trees reminded me of cheesy slices, pepperoni, and a few other fixins'. 

​My favorite part about the end design is the grease. I'm adding more because I love greasy pizza. And holidays.

It's me. 
And it's 2020. Already the middle of 2020. 
Also...still 2020.

For those of you who still check in, I appreciate you so much! You don't have to do that, and yet you do. An update is in order:

I'm not taking commissions again just yet. I simply needed a rest to get the spark back, but I miss it more each day. In the meantime, I'm still squeezing every dog I can on the regular. I don't even charge for that service!

I've been on a break from commissions and from sharing/selling my art altogether--but not on a break from making new art. Making weird art is just part of who I am.

SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW? 
Frankly, these times have me equal parts motivated and paralyzed!
I'm trying new things, revisiting old things--and finding a new outlook on how I approach it all. I'm showing up every day.

I'm not here to make promises yet or set myself up for failure--because I'm not sure where I'm headed--but I'm headed somewhere, and this is me hopping back in the car. Vroom vroom. 

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
​Amy